PUC makes strides in diversity
Issue date: 11/23/09 Section: Opinion
The issue: PUC's Got Talent demonstrated unity in campus diversity
Our position: We are grateful for PUC's strides
In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, we have decided to focus on a positive element of our PUC experience. We often cite diversity as a reason PUC should do things that aren't being done or stop doing things that are being done. For now, we will sit back and appreciate our student body's differences in and of themselves and the positive changes we've observed.
One thing that stands out about campus is the outline of self-segregation, most noticeably in SUL. In our Sept. 21 issue, our Letter to the Editor cited SUL's tendency to organize into certain areas by culture, religion, or ethnicity. We feel this cliquish mentality harks back to the juvenile days of high school, during which lunch tables were the ultimate domain. This attitude is what makes school-wide events so crucial.
Many student organizations are also based around cultural or ethnic similarities. This leaves many of the events revolving around ideas and traditions important to one specific group. While such a welcoming atmosphere to people of these cultures is beneficial, a well-rounded campus also needs events which unify across all colors, races, religions, and backgrounds.
PUC's Got Talent was one of these events. Regardless of the rather obvious differences which society uses to define humans, everyone in the audience seemed to enjoy the production. Even the top three finalists displayed a range of characteristics, from an Indian dance to a street rapper's style. Many who may never have attended culturally-targeted events were able to enjoy the beauty of life experiences varying from their own.
This kind of campus community should be further explored. These life experiences are what help us grow into intelligent and open-minded adults, if not merely by overcoming a possibly uncomfortable situation. Going outside of one's comfort zone is a sure way to mature, one of the essential purposes of attending a learning institution.
This is why college is typically thought of as the second childhood, where one can be most open to new ideas and experimentation. Too often, though, this kind of up-in-the-air attitude leads to fear students may turn to alcohol or sexual experimentation. In reality, the opportunities are just as open to personal advancement through learning from other people, not just books.
For this reason, it is of utmost importance for students to take advantage of both the culturally specific and campus unifying events. Both have potential to provide long-term benefits, but in the short term, they are simply a way to meet new people. There have been a growing number of these opportunities on campus, and PUC seems to be on track to gain even more. We hope this trend of recognizing and embracing both diversity and unity continues.
Our position: We are grateful for PUC's strides
In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, we have decided to focus on a positive element of our PUC experience. We often cite diversity as a reason PUC should do things that aren't being done or stop doing things that are being done. For now, we will sit back and appreciate our student body's differences in and of themselves and the positive changes we've observed.
One thing that stands out about campus is the outline of self-segregation, most noticeably in SUL. In our Sept. 21 issue, our Letter to the Editor cited SUL's tendency to organize into certain areas by culture, religion, or ethnicity. We feel this cliquish mentality harks back to the juvenile days of high school, during which lunch tables were the ultimate domain. This attitude is what makes school-wide events so crucial.
Many student organizations are also based around cultural or ethnic similarities. This leaves many of the events revolving around ideas and traditions important to one specific group. While such a welcoming atmosphere to people of these cultures is beneficial, a well-rounded campus also needs events which unify across all colors, races, religions, and backgrounds.
PUC's Got Talent was one of these events. Regardless of the rather obvious differences which society uses to define humans, everyone in the audience seemed to enjoy the production. Even the top three finalists displayed a range of characteristics, from an Indian dance to a street rapper's style. Many who may never have attended culturally-targeted events were able to enjoy the beauty of life experiences varying from their own.
This kind of campus community should be further explored. These life experiences are what help us grow into intelligent and open-minded adults, if not merely by overcoming a possibly uncomfortable situation. Going outside of one's comfort zone is a sure way to mature, one of the essential purposes of attending a learning institution.
This is why college is typically thought of as the second childhood, where one can be most open to new ideas and experimentation. Too often, though, this kind of up-in-the-air attitude leads to fear students may turn to alcohol or sexual experimentation. In reality, the opportunities are just as open to personal advancement through learning from other people, not just books.
For this reason, it is of utmost importance for students to take advantage of both the culturally specific and campus unifying events. Both have potential to provide long-term benefits, but in the short term, they are simply a way to meet new people. There have been a growing number of these opportunities on campus, and PUC seems to be on track to gain even more. We hope this trend of recognizing and embracing both diversity and unity continues.
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